XML and Villain Spotting

eXtensible Markup Language. What can you say. I've decided to improve (i.e. tinker with) my Smartphone job tracking program to make it save and load its documents in XML. Which it does now. (why am I so proud of being able to do things that only a few people understand I ask myself? Ho hum). This little change doesn't make much of a difference to the program itself, but it will make it easier to transfer the data into other programs. And I can view the information using Internet Explorer...

In the evening we watch the first "Scooby Doo" movie, which I bought real cheap some time back. Good, undemanding, fun. It was interesting how Shaggy has become the lead character in the group. And I spotted the villain really early too!

 

Reading Frenzy

Another day of non-work. But the last one for a while. Read some more of The Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency In fact, I read all of them. If I find a book really good I can read it in a single sitting. Three books, three sittings..... They are all very good and a pleasure to read. There is talk of a TV series being based on them. I'm not sure if I'll dare watch it.

There is always a problem when you see book characters actually "In the flesh" as it were. They never seem to quite match the mental image you build of them from the paper version. I have a idea of Precious Ramotswe which may not match that of the producer. But then again, I'd love to see pictures of Africa which match up to the visions described by the author.

 

Fun With Sawdust

The man that owns Ikea (the flat pack furniture store) is now officially the richest man in the world. Today we took steps to make sure that his future is assured. We went to Ikea and bought some stuff. I defy anyone to walk into that store and not spend money. It starts with just a few things which look like fun and are brightly coloured (some are even shiny). Then, around half way round the shop you come across a stash of trollies and you think "Well, rather than carry this stuff I could put it in a trolly and wheel it around instead". And once you have a trolly the rot really sets in and you end up signing a receipt for lot more than you came in to part with.

However, I think I have worked out the deepest, darkest secret of the Ikea empire. All their stuff has strange names like Trevlig and Fornbro. Up until recently I thought that these names were Swedish in origin, like the Ikea company itself. But now I reckon that they are equally meaningless in any language. My theory is that the names have been carefully chosen by white coated Swedish psychologists to trigger deep seated furniture buying responses innate in all humans. It may turn out that the word "Ektorp" is designed to elicit a deeply buried primeval response which results in you buying a sofa. (if so, it worked for me). If you are reading this, oh richest man in the world, be aware that I am on to you, and will be taking appropriate action just as soon as I have finished assembling my Pallbo footstool and fixed my Kramare spotlights up in the kitchen...

 

Recreational Coding Part 2 - and a Good Read

After the exertions of yesterday I thought I'd relax by dropping out some more code. Perhaps I should read a book instead. And not one about programming (actually I have been reading a book which is not about programming. I can heartily recommend "The Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency". It is wonderfully written in a deceptively simple style and is just a great read)

Anyhoo, back to the coding. I've started writing a little application to keep track of time spent on various projects. It is designed for the Smartphone (what else) and I'm quite enjoying knocking it together. When I make it work, I'll post it in the usual place.

 

Stopwatches and Bathroom Renovations

I've got the Smartphone stopwatch to work properly. All to do with using the right timer. It is only accurate to a 10th of a second, but it is accurate. You can find it on the download part of Interesting Systems

In celebration I thought I'd replace the bathroom carpet. So I did. I also did the bath edge seals and fitted a new light and shower curtain. And you thought I was just a great programmer.....

 

Nostel Priory for fun and culture

Hmm. Bank Holiday in Britain. A time to leap in the car and drive to a craft fair and see what people can make when they stop being accountants or whatever. Actually it was quite good, although we got ripped off in the ferret racing. And there was a lady there with hawks and stuff. And we got to watch some glass blowing (Rule 1: Don't suck). I took some happy snaps with Ye Digital Camera..

Some nice glass.

Did you know that a hawk can see a pigeon against a clear background at over six miles away? Apparently it is much harder if the pigeon hides against a tartan motif. So that's my bird survival tip folks. You can write a caption for this picture if you like, but only for your own amusement.

Am I the only one who finds this tableaux scary? I'm having dreams about them chasing me...

And finally, more nice glass.

 

 

Sarbucks and Style

Hull has a Starbucks! In fact it has had one for nearly a year. You have to drive to a funny shaped building on one of the retail parks (for local people it is The Junction up on St. Andrew's Quay - although I don't think they need the publicity since it was packed when we went). I suppose it is very shallow of me to equate such institutions with civilisation, but I do like their drinks.